Novel multi-analyte optical computing system

ABSTRACT

The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward a plurality of optical detectors. Signals from the detectors are compared with a reference signal based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/856,191 filed Nov. 2, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/921,217 filed Mar. 30, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates to improvements related to system design, fabrication and operation of multivariate optical elements. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to methodologies of using multivariate optical computing systems to illuminate a sample in which information about the sample can be analyzed from the reflected or transmitted light in real time or near real time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light conveys information through data. When light interacts with matter, for example, it carries away information about the physical and chemical properties of the matter. A property of the light, for example, its intensity, may be measured and interpreted to provide information about the matter with which it interacted. That is, the data carried by the light through its intensity may be measured to derive information about the matter. Similarly, in optical communications systems, light data is manipulated to convey information over an optical transmission medium, for example fiber optic cable. The data is measured when the light signal is received to derive information.

In general, a simple measurement of light intensity is difficult to convert to information because it likely contains interfering data. That is, several factors may contribute to the intensity of light, even in a relatively restricted wavelength range. It is often impossible to adequately measure the data relating to one of these factors since the contribution of the other factors is unknown.

It is possible, however, to derive information from light. An estimate may be obtained, for example, by separating light from several samples into wavelength bands and performing a multiple linear regression of the intensity of these bands against the results of conventional measurements of the desired information for each sample. For example, a polymer sample may be illuminated so that light from the polymer carries information such as the sample's ethylene content. Light from each of several samples may be directed to a series of bandpass filters which separate predetermined wavelength bands from the light. Light detectors following the bandpass filters measure the intensity of each light band. If the ethylene content of each polymer sample is measured using conventional means, a multiple linear regression of ten measured bandpass intensities against the measured ethylene content for each sample may produce an equation such as:

y=a ₀ +a ₁ w ₁ +a ₂ w ₂ + . . . +a ₁₀ w ₁₀   (Equation 1)

where y is ethylene content, a_(n) are constants determined by the regression analysis, and w_(n) is light intensity for each wavelength band.

Equation 1 may be used to estimate ethylene content of subsequent samples of the same polymer type. Depending on the circumstances, however, the estimate may be unacceptably inaccurate since factors other than ethylene may affect the intensity of the wavelength bands. These other factors may not change from one sample to the next in a manner consistent with ethylene.

A more accurate estimate may be obtained by compressing the data carried by the light into principal components. To obtain the principal components, spectroscopic data is collected for a variety of samples of the same type of light, for example from illuminated samples of the same type of polymer. For example, the light samples may be spread into their wavelength spectra by a spectrograph so that the magnitude of each light sample at each wavelength may be measured. This data is then pooled and subjected to a linear-algebraic process known as singular value decomposition (SVD). SVD is at the heart of principal component analysis, which should be well understood in this art. Briefly, principal component analysis is a dimension reduction technique, which takes m spectra with n independent variables and constructs a new set of eigenvectors that are linear combinations of the original variables. The eigenvectors may be considered a new set of plotting axes. The primary axis, termed the first principal component, is the vector, which describes most of the data variability. Subsequent principal components describe successively less sample variability, until only noise is described by the higher order principal components.

Typically, the principal components are determined as normalized vectors. Thus, each component of a light sample may be expressed as x_(n) z_(n), where x_(n) is a scalar multiplier and z_(n) is the normalized component vector for the n_(th) component. That is, z_(n) is a vector in a multi-dimensional space where each wavelength is a dimension. As should be well understood, normalization determines values for a component at each wavelength so that the component maintains it shape and so that the length of the principal component vector is equal to one. Thus, each normalized component vector has a shape and a magnitude so that the components may be used as the basic building blocks of all light samples having those principal components. Accordingly, each light sample may be described in the following format by the combination of the normalized principal components multiplied by the appropriate scalar multipliers:

x₁ z₁+x₂ z₂+ . . . +x_(n) z_(n).

The scalar multipliers x_(n) may be considered the “magnitudes” of the principal components in a given light sample when the principal components are understood to have a standardized magnitude as provided by normalization.

Because the principal components are orthogonal, they may be used in a relatively straightforward mathematical procedure to decompose a light sample into the component magnitudes, which accurately describe the data in the original sample. Since the original light sample may also be considered a vector in the multi-dimensional wavelength space, the dot product of the original signal vector with a principal component vector is the magnitude of the original signal in the direction of the normalized component vector. That is, it is the magnitude of the normalized principal component present in the original signal. This is analogous to breaking a vector in a three dimensional Cartesian space into its X, Y and Z components. The dot product of the three-dimensional vector with each axis vector, assuming each axis vector has a magnitude of 1, gives the magnitude of the three dimensional vector in each of the three directions. The dot product of the original signal and some other vector that is not perpendicular to the other three dimensions provides redundant data, since this magnitude is already contributed by two or more of the orthogonal axes.

Because the principal components are orthogonal, or perpendicular, to each other, the dot, or direct, product of any principal component with any other principal component is zero. Physically, this means that the components do not interfere with each other. If data is altered to change the magnitude of one component in the original light signal, the other components remain unchanged. In the analogous Cartesian example, reduction of the X component of the three dimensional vector does not affect the magnitudes of the Y and Z components.

Principal component analysis provides the fewest orthogonal components that can accurately describe the data carried by the light samples. Thus, in a mathematical sense, the principal components are components of the original light that do not interfere with each other and that represent the most compact description of the entire data carried by the light. Physically, each principal component is a light signal that forms a part of the original light signal. Each has a shape over some wavelength range within the original wavelength range. Summing the principal components produces the original signal, provided each component has the proper magnitude.

The principal components comprise a compression of the data carried by the total light signal. In a physical sense, the shape and wavelength range of the principal components describe what data is in the total light signal while the magnitude of each component describes how much of that data is there. If several light samples contain the same types of data, but in differing amounts, then a single set of principal components may be used to exactly describe (except for noise) each light sample by applying appropriate magnitudes to the components.

The principal components may be used to accurately estimate information carried by the light. For example, suppose samples of a certain brand of gasoline, when illuminated, produce light having the same principal components. Spreading each light sample with a spectrograph may produce wavelength spectra having shapes that vary from one gasoline sample to another. The differences may be due to any of several factors, for example differences in octane rating or lead content.

The differences in the sample spectra may be described as differences in the magnitudes of the principal components. For example, the gasoline samples might have four principal components. The magnitudes x_(n) of these components in one sample might be J, K, L, and M, whereas in the next sample the magnitudes may be 0.94 J, 1.07K, 1.13 L and 0.86M. As noted above, once the principal components are determined, these magnitudes exactly describe their respective light samples.

Refineries desiring to periodically measure octane rating in their product may derive the octane information from the component magnitudes. Octane rating may be dependent upon data in more than one of the components. Octane rating may also be determined through conventional chemical analysis. Thus, if the component magnitudes and octane rating for each of several gasoline samples are measured, a multiple linear regression analysis may be performed for the component magnitudes against octane rating to provide an equation such as:

y=a ₀ +a ₁ x ₁ +a ₂ x ₂ +a ₃ x ₃ +a ₄ x4   (Equation 2)

where y is octane rating, a_(n) are constants determined by the regression analysis, and x₁, x₂, x₃ and x₄ are the first, second, third and fourth principal component magnitudes, respectively.

Using Equation 2, which may be referred to as a regression vector, refineries may accurately estimate octane rating of subsequent gasoline samples. Conventional systems perform regression vector calculations by computer, based on spectrograph measurements of the light sample by wavelength. The spectrograph system spreads the light sample into its spectrum and measures the intensity of the light at each wavelength over the spectrum wavelength range. If the regression vector in the Equation 2 form is used, the computer reads the intensity data and decomposes the light sample into the principal component magnitudes x_(n) by determining the dot product of the total signal with each component. The component magnitudes are then applied to the regression equation to determine octane rating.

To simplify the procedure, however, the regression vector is typically converted to a form that is a function of wavelength so that only one dot product is performed. Each normalized principal component vector z_(n) has a value over all or part of the total wavelength range. If each wavelength value of each component vector is multiplied by the regression constant a_(n) corresponding to the component vector, and if the resulting weighted principal components are summed by wavelength, the regression vector takes the following form:

y=a ₀ +b ₁ u ₁ +b ₂ u ₂ + . . . +b _(n) u _(n)   (Equation 3)

where y is octane rating, a₀ is the first regression constant from Equation 2, b_(n) is the sum of the multiple of each regression constant a_(n) from Equation 2 and the value of its respective normalized regression vector at wavelength n, and u_(n) is the intensity of the light sample at wavelength n. Thus, the new constants define a vector in wavelength space that directly describes octane rating. The regression vector in a form as in Equation 3 represents the dot product of a light sample with this vector.

Normalization of the principal components provides the components with an arbitrary value for use during the regression analysis. Accordingly, it is very unlikely that the dot product result produced by the regression vector will be equal to the actual octane rating. The number will, however, be proportional to the octane rating. The proportionality factor may be determined by measuring octane rating of one or more samples by conventional means and comparing the result to the number produced by the regression vector. Thereafter, the computer can simply scale the dot product of the regression vector and spectrum to produce a number approximately equal to the octane rating.

In a conventional spectroscopy analysis system, a laser directs light to a sample by a bandpass filter, a beam splitter, a lens and a fiber optic cable. Light is reflected back through the cable and the beam splitter to another lens to a spectrograph. The spectrograph separates light from the illuminated sample by wavelength so that a detection device such as a charge couple detector can measure the intensity of the light at each wavelength. The charge couple detector is controlled by controller and cooled by a cooler.

The detection device measures the light intensity of light from the spectrograph at each wavelength and outputs this data digitally to a computer, which stores the light intensity over the wavelength range. The computer also stores a previously derived regression vector for the desired sample property, for example octane, and sums the multiple of the light intensity and the regression vector intensity at each wavelength over the sampled wavelength range, thereby obtaining the dot product of the light from the substance and the regression vector. Since this number is proportional to octane rating, the octane rating of the sample is identified.

Since the spectrograph separates the sample light into its wavelengths, a detector is needed that can detect and distinguish the relatively small amounts of light at each wavelength. Charge couple devices provide high sensitivity throughout the visible spectral region and into the near infrared with extremely low noise. These devices also provide high quantum efficiency, long lifetime, imaging capability and solid-state characteristics. Unfortunately, however, charge couple devices and their required operational instrumentation are very expensive. Furthermore, the devices are sensitive to environmental conditions. In a refinery, for example, they must be protected from explosion, vibration and temperature fluctuations and are often placed in protective housings approximately the size of a refrigerator. The power requirements, cooling requirements, cost, complexity and maintenance requirements of these systems have made them impractical in many applications.

Multivariate optical computing (MOC) is a powerful predictive spectroscopic technique that incorporates a multi-wavelength spectral weighting directly into analytical instrumentation. This is in contrast to traditional data collection routines where digitized spectral data is post processed with a computer to correlate spectral signal with analyte concentration. Previous work has focused on performing such spectral weightings by employing interference filters called Multivariate Optical Elements (MOEs). Other researchers have realized comparable results by controlling the staring or integration time for each wavelength during the data collection process. All-optical computing methods have been shown to produce similar multivariate calibration models, but the measurement precision via an optical computation is superior to a traditional digital regression.

MOC has been demonstrated to simplify the instrumentation and data analysis requirements of a traditional multivariate calibration. Specifically, the MOE utilizes a thin film interference filter to sense the magnitude of a spectral pattern. A no-moving parts spectrometer highly selective to a particular analyte may be constructed by designing simple calculations based on the filter transmission and reflection spectra. Other research groups have also performed optical computations through the use of weighted integration intervals and acousto-optical tunable filters digital mirror arrays and holographic gratings.

The measurement precision of digital regression has been compared to various optical computing techniques including MOEs, positive/negative interference filters and weighted-integration scanning optical computing. In a high signal condition where the noise of the instrument is limited by photon counting, optical computing offers a higher measurement precision when compared to its digital regression counterpart. The enhancement in measurement precision for scanning instruments is related to the fraction of the total experiment time spent on the most important wavelengths. While the detector integrates or co-adds measurements at these important wavelengths, the signal increases linearly while the noise increases as a square root of the signal. Another contribution to this measurement precision enhancement is a combination of the Felgott's and Jacquinot's advantage, which is possessed by MOE optical computing.

While various methodologies have been developed to enhance measurement accuracy in Optical Analysis Systems, the industry requires a system in which the spectral range of the illumination source can be controlled; in which light can be shined directly onto a sample with or without fiber optic probes; and in which the reflected or transmitted light can be analyzed in real time or near real time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, an improved methodology for high-speed processing and monitoring of a plurality of sample portions of products has been developed. In accordance with an exemplary configuration of the present subject matter, products may be moved past an inspection point while illuminating at least one portion of the sample product with a spectral-specific light through an optic window. The optical window may be configured to focus the spectral-specific light onto a sample portion at the inspection point. In an exemplary embodiment, the sample products may include pharmaceutical products.

In one representative configuration, light reflecting from the sample, which contains information about the sample, passes through a chopper wheel and onto a detector. As the chopper wheel rotates, the light passes through different elements depending on the orientation of the wheel at a given time. Hence the signal at the detector changes sequentially as light passes through the different multivariate optical elements or reference elements or the light is blocked (where the spokes on the chopper wheel block the light). A different signal is produced for each element. These signals are used to determine at high speed one or more selected properties of the portion as it moves past the inspection point based upon the detector output.

In an exemplary arrangement, the sample portions may comprise pharmaceutical tablets, trays or other containers of powders, or partially- or fully-enclosed sample containers at least partially transparent to light focused onto the sample portion. In an exemplary configuration, sample portions may be moved past the inspection point at a rate between about one portion per second and about five portions per second, with monitoring occurring in real-time at high speed.

In accordance with aspects of certain other embodiments of the present subject matter, a method of high-speed processing and monitoring includes moving a product past an inspection point and illuminating at least a portion of the product with a light. Light reflecting from the sample, which contains information about the sample, passes through a chopper wheel and onto a detector. As the chopper wheel rotates, the light passes through different elements depending on the orientation of the wheel at a given time. Hence the signal at the detector changes sequentially as light passes through the different multivariate optical elements or reference elements or the light is blocked where the spokes on the chopper wheel block the light. A different signal is produced for each element. These signals are used to determine, at high speed, one or more selected properties of the sample portion as it moves past the inspection point based upon the detector output. The product in this aspect may be, for example, a pharmaceutical tablet or powder, a food material, a chemical, a liquid, a gas, an emulsion, a solution, and/or a mixture.

Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referred and discussed features and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.

Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures). Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objects above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise discussed in this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is schematic plan view of a real time measurement system according to the general concept of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a real time measurement system according to the present subject matter illustrating a focusing lens at the illumination source;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a real time measurement system according to the present subject matter illustrating collimated light at the illumination source;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a real time measurement system according to the present subject matter illustrating a set of common spectral elements for all the measurements;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the chopper wheel containing several multivariate optical elements (A) and reference elements (B);

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a chopper wheel illustrating the inclusion of separate spectral elements for each of four analytes being measured.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are respectively front and side views of an optical system configuration where the axis of the chopper has been rotated so the sampling light path is parallel to the chopper face;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are respectively front and side views of an optical system configuration using a chopper with several sets of optical elements usable for systems where different detectors would be needed for different measurements;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using separate illumination and collection optics where parabolic mirrors are used for turning and focusing the light;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration utilizing focusing lenses;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using an annular turning mirror;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration showing the optical detector removed from the amplifier board;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using a mirror for both turning and focusing the collection beam where the illumination beam is collimated;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using a mirror for turning and focusing the collection beam where the illumination beam is focused;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using a mirror for turning the collection beam where the illumination beam is focused on the sample and there is a collection lens focusing light on the detector;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a light collection cone to substitute for a lens prior to the detector; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an optical system configuration using a mirror for turning the collection beam and using the light collection cone where the illumination beam is focused.

Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present subject matter are shown. The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the present subject matter, and of the manner and process of making and using it, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use it, as well as the best mode of carrying out the invention. However, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the present subject matter.

As used herein, the term “light” is broadly used to mean any form of radiation or radiative energy including, for instance, visible light or light in the infrared region. “Light” is also referred to herein as a light signal, a light beam, a light ray and the like to mean any form of radiative energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. Similarly, the term “transmission” can mean transmission of radiative energy onto a surface of a sample; penetration, however slight, into a sample such as a particulate sample or opaque fluid sample; or passage through a sample.

As used herein, the sample being evaluated can be a solid or a fluid including but not limited to a powder, a pharmaceutical powder mixed with lactose and other excipient materials, a chemical, a polymer, a food product, a petroleum product, a solution, a dispersion, an emulsion and combinations of these solids and fluids.

FIG. 1 illustrates the general concept of the present subject matter and is designated generally by reference number 110. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical analysis system 110 broadly includes a housing 112, an illumination or light source 114, a chopper wheel 118, one or more spectral elements 120, a focusing lens 126, a beam splitter 128, a first detector 130 including a multivariate optical element 148, and a second detector 132. The optical analysis system 110 further includes an electrical connection 160, a pressurization sensor 162 and a purge gas assembly 164, which those skilled in the art will readily understand; therefore, further description is not necessary to understand and practice these aspects of the present subject matter.

With more particular reference to FIG. 1, the illumination source 114 provides a light 134, which passes through a collecting Fresnel lens 116A and into and through one or more spectral elements 120. In this example, the illumination source 114 is rated for at least about 10,000 hours of operation, which alleviates a need for redundant illumination sources though they may be provided if desired. Also in this example, the collecting Fresnel lens 116A is sized to be about 1.5 square inches and is spaced about 0.6 inches from the illumination source 114. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these dimensions can be adjusted according to particular system requirements and are not meant as limitations of the present subject matter.

As further shown in FIG. 1, light 134 passes through spectral elements 120, which filter out undesired wavelengths to define a desired spectral region, e.g., 1500-2000 nm, in order to target a particular chemical material of interest. Light 134 is focused by focusing Fresnel lens 116B, which is also sized to be about 1.5 square inches and spaced about 1 inch from the chopper wheel 118. As shown, chopper wheel 118 reflects a portion of light 134 as a calibration or reference light 135 and a transmitted light 144. Calibration light 135 is collimated by lens 158 before reflecting from first mirror 124A through adjustable aperture 112B in bulkhead 112A of housing 112. Aperture 112B is adjustable to dictate a desired amount of calibration light 135. Finally, calibration light 135 impinges on beam splitter 128 thereby sending a portion 135A of calibration light 135 to first MOE detector 130 and a portion 135B of calibration light 135 to second or baseline detector 132.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that transmitted light 144 passes from chopper wheel 118 into collimating Fresnel lens 136, which in this example is sized to be about 1.5 square inches and is spaced about 0.6 inches from chopper wheel 118. Transmitted light 144 passes through another adjustable aperture 112C in bulkhead 112A and impinges upon a second mirror 124B, which directs transmitted light 144 toward a sample in container C. In an exemplary configuration, container C may correspond to a mixing vat or blender. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the container could be a conveyor belt or other device for holding or transporting the sample and is not limited to an enclosed container.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transmitted light 144 is focused by the focusing Fresnel lens 126, which in this example may be round and about 15/16 inches in diameter and is adjustable with an inner tube 122. Also in this example, lens 126 may be positioned about 0.6 inches from an outer surface of the container C. As shown, transmitted light 144, now focused, passes through transmissive window 113, which in this example is approximately 1 inch in diameter and with an anti-reflective (AR) coating disposed on one or both sides of lens 126. The AR coating ensures that the chemical process in the container C does not interfere with the measuring process of optical analysis system 110. Thus, transmitted light 144 enters the container C and reflects from the sample as carrier light 146. The sample can be a moving mixture such as aspirin and an excipient being blended in real time, or a plurality of tablets passing by on a conveyor belt at high speed.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that carrier light 146 is directed by tube 122 in a direction of first detector 130. Eventually, carrier light 146 impinges on beam splitter 128 and a portion passes in a direction of detector 132 for baselining with portion 135B of calibration light 135. Another portion of carrier light 146 passes through MOE 148, which as noted above, has been selected for the chemical of interest based on the various components of system 110. Finally, that portion of carrier light 146, having passed through the MOE 148, is focused by lens 150 and received by the detector 152. As described above, the two signals collected by detectors 130 and 132 can be manipulated, e.g., mathematically, to extract and ascertain information about the sample carried by carrier light 146.

An alternative embodiment of the optical computational method shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to using a single detector with a moving holder, such as a chopper wheel, containing several multivariate optical elements and reference materials. In this alternative embodiment, the chopper wheel rotates so that the various elements pass in front of the detector in sequence enabling the use of several optical elements in the same unit. The chopper wheel containing the multivariate optical elements and spectral elements must rotate fast enough to compensate for sample movement and various light fluctuations. Each multivariate optical element and associated reference element is designed for measurement of a specific property. Because the spectral elements and multivariate optical elements are used as a combination for a given analyte, there are several configurations to install the spectral elements.

FIGS. 2 through 6 show alternative embodiments to the general concept of the present subject matter depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a configuration where there is a collimating lens to collect the light emitted by the illumination source (5 W) to direct it towards the sample. FIG. 3 shows another alternate embodiment where the illumination source (5 W) produces collimated light.

The alternative embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 have the spectral elements located on the chopper wheel as shown by the rectangles in FIG. 6. If the same spectral elements are used for all analytes, then a common spectral element(s) can be used as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary configuration of a chopper wheel containing multivariate elements and reference elements for each of four independent analytes (1 through 4). FIG. 6 shows the opposite side view of the same chopper wheel shown in FIG. 5 with the spectral elements indicated as rectangles. In this example, there are separate spectral element units for each analyte (1 through 4).

Using the single detector system disclosed herein, the A and B signals for each multivariate optical element are collected in sequence. The sequence of signals using the chopper wheel shown in FIG. 5 would be Analyte 1-B signal, Analyte 1-A signal, Analyte 2-B signal, Analyte 2-A signal, Analyte 3-B signal, Analyte 3-A signal, Analyte 4-B signal, Analyte 4-A signal, Analyte 1-B signal, and so forth. The calculations conducted on these signals (multivariate optical element signal/reference signal) are done in the time domain. This is important to make sure that the Analyte 1 multivariate optical element (A) signal is compared to the Analyte 1 reference (B) signal. In a more general sense, it is not necessary for the Analyte 1-A signal to only be referenced to the Analyte-1 B signal. There could clearly be applications where such ratios of Analyte 1-A to Analyte 3-B and many other algebraic combinations would be used. In addition, other algebraic combinations such as Analyte 1-A and Analyte 2-A and Analyte 3-B together could be used as well as other more complex combinations or functions.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the illumination, chopper, collection and detection elements in accordance with the present technology are illustrated in FIGS. 7-17.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate respectively front and side views of an optical system embodiment in accordance with the present subject matter where the sampling illumination from source 301 and light collection by way of mirror 307, cone reflector 309, and detector 306 occur along an axis parallel to the surface of chopper wheel 300. Alternative configurations of the chopper could also be used which do not necessarily use round holes. Operation of cone reflector 309 is more fully explained later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 8 a illustrates a chopper wheel 324 having several apertures oriented radially along the wheel. This exemplary embodiment permits several measurements to be made simultaneously which requires different photodetectors as illustrated in FIG. 8 b. In this case turning mirror 328 directs some of the collected light back from source 321 through the chopper 324 to photodetector 322. The light that passes through mirror 328 to mirror 329 would be reflected onto photodetector 323.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system in accordance with the present technology with illumination from source 341 directed at focusing mirror 344 and collection mirror 347. When sample 348 is moved from the theoretical focal point of the lens or mirror 344, the system using single detector 346 demonstrates reduced change in signal as compared to the system described in FIG. 1. This exemplary embodiment provides improvement in depth of focus, thereby providing an improved measurement system. When compared to the dual-beam system shown in FIG. 1, a single detector system provides fewer measurements in a given time-frame due to a single result for a given material for each revolution of the chopper. Increasing the speed of the chopper wheel may be implemented to compensate for this effect.

In FIG. 10, light from an illumination source, in this case lamp 201 with an incorporated collimating mirror passes through holes in chopper wheel 200 and is reflected by turning mirror 204. The light passes through focusing lens 203 to sample 208. Light reflected from sample 208 is collected by lens 203 and then focused by lens 205 onto photodetector 206. FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative configuration to FIG. 10 employing an annular turning mirror 217 and further illustrates detector 216 mounted to an amplifier board 216′. Other components illustrated in FIG. 11 correspond in function to similarly illustrated components in FIG. 10 and carry similar designations but with reference numbers ten units above those of FIG. 10 equivalent components.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter equivalent in every way to that illustrated in FIG. 11 save for illustrating photodetector 226 being removed from the amplifier board 216′. Such removal allows a more physically rigid support of the photodetector.

FIG. 13 illustrates an optical computing system with collimated light source 231 and using an annular focusing mirror 237 which collects the light reflected from sample 238 and reflects and focuses the collected light onto photodetector 236. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the present subject matter similar to that illustrated in FIG. 13 but where light is focused by the lamp assembly 241 onto sample 248. FIG. 15 illustrates a mirror 257 that collects light from sample 258, and turns the collimated light that is then focused by lens 255 on detector 256.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative light collection device, in the form of a light cone 260 that may be used as a replace for several of the lenses previously illustrated. Cone 260 provides a reflective surface that directs impinging light 261 onto photodetector 262. FIG. 17 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the present subject matter using light cone 279 to direct light onto photodetector 276. The illustrated arrows in cone 279 are intended to demonstrate an example of how light rays are directed to photodetector 276. These embodiments illustrating the use of the light cone could readily use a lens in place of the cone or correspondingly the reverse.

The functionality of the MOC system 110 and alternate embodiments as described herein allows for the collection of the entire spectral range of testing simultaneously. This fact is notably different than either a system based on either a scanning lamp or detector system or a discrete diode array detection system. The ability to monitor over the complete spectral range of interest opens up a re-definition of the term “real-time” measurement and analysis.

For instance, true real-time process measurements are possible. “Real time” refers to obtaining data without delays attendant to collecting samples or delays due to lengthy computer processing of measurement signals. In the subject matter described herein, process data can be obtained in an instantaneous or near-instantaneous manner through using the disclosed measurement techniques to directly monitor materials of interest while such materials are undergoing process steps. Long delays due to processing of measurement signals are avoided by optically processing the light as it is reflected from the material(s) of interest.

Although specific examples disclosed herein present monitoring the blending of a powdered material and examining solid tablets, the general concept can be extended to other phases. The present system can be utilized in analyzing solids, solutions, emulsions, gases, and dispersions, for example. In addition, while exemplary embodiments discussed herein use reflectance measurements, measurements in a transmission or transflectance mode would also be appropriate.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that differing applications may require modifications and alterations to certain components in order to take full advantage of the presently-disclosed systems. For instance, more diffusion of light has been observed in solid powders relative to liquids; accordingly, different lenses may be needed when a liquid is monitored in order to account for such variations and achieve more accurate measurements.

The presently-disclosed technology can be applied to real-time measurements for a range of industrial applications. These include, but are not limited to monitoring of the blending of pharmaceutical powders, including excipients, additives, and active pharmaceutical materials; blending of other powders, including food and chemicals; monitoring dispersions and bi-phasic mixtures (such as insulin, emulsions); and oil and gas applications, including analyzing water content in oil, or oil content in water.

Inclusion of a transmissive window provides physical separation between the measuring device and the process or material being tested. Therefore, this window allows for in-line measurement and/or non-invasive measurement of parameters such as chemical functionality, including alcohol content of petroleum fractions or tackifier resins. Environmental applications are also conceivable, such as stack gas analysis, including measurement of NOx, SOx, CO, CO2, or other gases in a gas stream; wastewater analysis and treatment monitoring; and hazardous substance monitoring applications such as mercury vapor detection.

As noted above, MOC technology can be used to monitor a wide variety of materials as the materials are subjected to different processes. For instance, the mixing of powders can be monitored. As materials are blended, the existing art does not allow for continuous, real-time, in-line measurement. Current limitations are the result of several factors including: moving of the powders being measured during the course of data acquisition and the need to connect analytical equipment to the measurement point using fiber optic cables. This optical analysis system is designed to allow for instantaneous measurement using a measurement point located on the vessel.

Other embodiments of the present subject matter include real time measurement of flowing materials. In such embodiments, the sampling window(s) may be located on a pipe or vessel such that interrogating illumination can be applied to the material. For instance, a port could be included on a pipe to allow for sampling of the material inside the pipe. The window may be positioned directly on the pipe, or on a small diversion away from the main flow path, as appropriate under the circumstances. Such embodiments could also include sampling of vapor systems within a stack to monitor combustion gases or flowing process stream such as water containing other materials. A further embodiment would be interrogating a moving stream of material from inside the flow path.

Still further embodiments of the present subject matter include the real time measurement of materials in containers, such as vials or bins where the container is either at least partially open to the outside environment or transmissive to the sampling illumination. Such containers could be stationary or in motion. A container could also include a conveyor or trough carrying material. Typical applications could include the monitoring the progress of a chemical reaction or the content of samples moving past a measurement location.

The present subject matter may be better understood from the following tests and examples.

Example I

System I: A first breadboard system was constructed and used to test a mixture of powders. System I components included:

Illumination: 20 W Gilway lamp

Spectral elements: 5 mm deuterium oxide (D₂O), 5 mm Germanium

Optical window: fiber optic probe

Detector: InAr detector from Judson

MOE: specific to test

Procedure and Results of static testing using System I: A powdered sample with a known composition was placed in a dish and the fiber optic probe was placed in contact with the powder. The output of the detectors was monitored and recorded.

Example II

System II: A system similar to the optical analysis system 110 shown in the figures was constructed and used to make static measurements on aspirin/lactose. System II components included:

Illumination: 20 W Gilway lamp

Spectral elements: 5 mm D2O, 5 mm Germanium

Optical window: none

Detector: PbS detector from New England Photoconductor

MOE: specific to test conditions.

Procedure and Results of static testing using System II: A powdered sample with a known composition was placed in a dish and the system light beam was focused on the powder. The output of the detectors was monitored and recorded. Aspirin/lactose samples covering the range of 100% aspirin to 100% lactose were tested.

Example III

System III: A system similar to the optical analysis system 110 shown in the figures was constructed and used to make dynamic measurements on aspirin/lactose. System III components included:

Illumination: 20 W Gilway lamp

Spectral elements: 5 mm D2O, 5 mm Germanium

Optical window: sapphire window

Detector: PbS detector from New England Photoconductor

MOE: specific to test conditions.

Procedure and Results of dynamic testing using System III: The Aspirin/Lactose testing was made on a mixer bowl containing lactose and the system measured as aspirin was added to the system and mixed. Specifically, lactose powder was placed in the bowl of a mixer and the measurement system was attached the bowl using a Swagelok® brand fitting. A sapphire window was used to contain the powder in the bowl and allow the system to interrogate the powder. With the mixer turning, known amounts of aspirin were added and the system output signal was monitored and recorded. Aspirin was added in several allotments to about 37% final aspirin concentration.

Example IV

System IV: A system similar to the optical analysis system 110 shown in the figures was constructed and used to make static measurements on aspirin/lactose. System IV components included:

Illumination: 5 W Gilway lamp

Spectral elements: 5 mm D2O, 5 mm Germanium

Optical window: none

Detector: PbS detector from New England Photoconductor

MOE: specific to test conditions.

Procedure and Results of dynamic testing using System III were similar to the examples above.

Although the present subject matter has been described in such a way as to provide an enabling disclosure for one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, it should be understood that the descriptive examples of the present subject matter are not intended to limit the present invention to use only as shown in the figures. For instance, the housing can be shaped as a square, an oval, or in a variety of other shapes.

Further, a variety of light sources can be substituted for those described above. It is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, while exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing examples without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A method for high-speed analysis of product samples, comprising: illuminating at least a portion of a product with light at an inspection point; providing a plurality of light sensitive detector, the detectors producing outputs based on received light; directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors through at least one multivariate optical element, the light from the product portion carrying information about the product portion; directing at least a portion of the product illuminating light toward one of the plurality of light sensitive detectors through a reference optical element; and analyzing the signals produced by the detectors, the analysis being based on a comparison of the signals produced from light passing through the at least one multivariate optical element and the signal produced from light passing through the reference optical element
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is at least one of a pharmaceutical tablet, a pharmaceutical powder, a food material, a chemical, a liquid, a gas, an emulsion, a solution, or a mixture thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is a powder mixture in a closed container, the container being at least partially transparent to the illuminating light.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: moving the product past the inspection point.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion comprises directing light reflected from the product portion.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating comprises illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: illuminating the product through an optic window, the optic window being configured to focus the spectral-specific light onto a product portion at the inspection point.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a plurality of discrete portions.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of discrete portions are disposed in closed containers, the containers at least partially transparent to the spectral-specific light.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors through at least one multivariate optical element comprises directing light from the product portion through a chopper wheel carrying the at least one multivariate optical element.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the illuminating source and the plurality of light sensitive detectors are located on a first side of the chopper wheel and the inspection point is located on the opposite side of the chopper wheel.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors comprises directing light through a reflective cone.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: focusing the light directed from the product portion on to selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein focusing comprises directing the light through a lens.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein focusing comprises directing the light with a focusing mirror.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating at least a portion of a product with light at an inspection point comprises illuminating at least a portion of a product with focused light.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein illuminating at least a portion of a product with focused light comprises illuminating at least a portion of a product with light reflected from a focusing mirror. 